Brad Free's Santa Anita horses to watch from week of Oct. 16-18, 2020
CAPITAL HEAT
Trainer: Vann Belvoir
Last race: Oct. 16, 2nd
Finish: 2nd by 1 1/2
Beyer: 59
Addition of blinkers produced improved speed from California-bred maiden-claiming filly. Opened up, fast pace, collared late at 6 1/2 furlongs. Can be long gone at shorter trip.
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KEEP DANCING
Trainer: Michael Wilson
Last race: Oct. 16, 8th
Finish: 4th by 7 1/4
Beyer: 53
Hopelessly eliminated when she broke last in maiden turf mile, this filly unleashed a solid rally on the far turn and then flattened out. Threat versus similar with a clean start.
STARSHIP CHEWBACCA
Trainer: Howard Zucker
Last race: Oct. 17, 2nd
Finish: 2nd by 1 3/4
Beyer: 61
Rail post contributed to low-odds defeat by California-bred maiden-claiming sprinter. Steadied at the half, shuffled, re-rallied, clear of third. Likely winner with outside post next time.
COMBAT ZONE
Trainer: Mark Glatt
Last race: Oct. 17, 7th
Finish: 8th by 6 3/4
Beyer: 59
Well-backed in starter allowance, gelding stumbled badly, broke last, never had a shot. Though 1 for 17, worth following versus similar rivals on Del Mar turf, short or long.
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ANGEL OF FREEDOM
Trainer: John Shirreffs
Last race: Oct. 18, 2nd
Finish: 3rd by 7 1/2
Beyer: 71
Debut filly no match for fast winner Himiko, but ran well. Off slow from rail, rallied into tight spot on rail three-eighths, hard-held, evenly late. Flatter filly may want two turns.
SCARTO
Trainer: Mike Puype
Last race: Oct. 18, 9th
Finish: 2nd by 1 1/2
Beyer: 91
Improving 3-year-old ran super in Grade 2 turf route. Steadied five-eighths, re-rallied, narrowed gap, solid. Options include Grade 1 Hollywood Derby at Del Mar or Grade 2 Mathis Bros at Santa Anita.

